Environment
Limerick celebrates Shannon Estuary wildlife with New Story Map
Limerick celebrates Shannon Estuary wildlife with New Story Map
Limerick partners with Clare and Kerry to launch a new interactive story map showcasing the Shannon Estuary wildlife
Limerick City and County Council has partnered with Clare County Council and Kerry County Council to launch a new interactive story map showcasing the Shannon Estuary as a haven for wintering birds and wetlands.
The initiative highlights one of Ireland’s most biodiverse and ecologically significant landscapes and coincides with World Wetlands Day (02 February), an event that raises global awareness about the importance of wetlands.
Developed jointly by the three local authorities, the story map is designed to support education, awareness and community engagement. It is aimed at local schools, communities living along the estuary, and anyone interested in nature and the environment.
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The map features profiles of 21 wetland bird species designated as part of the River Shannon and River Fergus Estuaries Special Protection Area (SPA). It also includes mapped viewing points where the public can observe wetland birds in their natural habitats. The platform promotes citizen science initiatives such as Birdwatch Ireland’s Irish Wetland Bird Survey and provides resources encouraging responsible behaviour to minimise disturbance, along with information on preventing the spread of invasive species.
Limerick City and County Council Biodiversity Officer, Sinead McDonnell, said, “The Shannon Estuary is one of Limerick’s greatest natural assets. This story map brings together biodiversity, history and place in a way that is accessible and engaging, particularly for schools and local communities. By understanding the estuary better, we are better equipped to protect it for future generations.”
Clare County Council’s Biodiversity Officer, Barry O’Loughlin, commented, “We hope that the story map can be used as a platform where the public can engage with wildlife in their local area. The number of Community Biodiversity Action Plans continues to grow in Clare and there is now a real opportunity to link the story map to local community action and education.”
Kerry County Council Biodiversity Officer, Eleanor Turney, added, “From iconic sites like Carrigafoyle Castle, to the rich wildlife along the estuary’s shores, Kerry’s connection to the Shannon Estuary is both cultural and ecological. This collaborative story map highlights the estuary as a living landscape, shaped by nature and people working together over centuries.”
The story map encourages people to explore and value the estuary’s biodiversity and protected habitats, while promoting responsible behaviour that supports conservation. The project aligns with the Strategic Integrated Framework Plan for the Shannon Estuary, which promotes sustainable economic development underpinned by strong environmental protection.
The initiative has been developed through the work of the Biodiversity Officers in Limerick, Clare and Kerry, and is funded through the Local Biodiversity Action Fund and the three local authorities. The Biodiversity Officer Programme is delivered in partnership with the Heritage Council. The digital map was published in collaboration with Wetland Surveys Ireland.
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